News from Iowa: a new crop of deacons has sprouted!

From the Catholic Globe:

During the ordination Mass to the permanent diaconate Oct. 4 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City, four men were called forward.

Byron Gene Stone.

Gary Leo Schon.

William Anthony Black.

David Norton Brown.

As their names were called, the men each responded “present” and they left their place in the pew by their family and stood before Bishop R. Walker Nickless at the front of the church.

After Msgr. R. Mark Duchaine, vicar general of the diocese, announced that they had been found worthy of ordination, the bishop confirmed that the men were chosen for the Order of the Diaconate. Applause erupted from the congregation.

In his homily that followed the election of the candidates, Bishop Nickless said that the Catholic Church throughout the world that day celebrated one of the most beloved saints – St. Francis of Assisi, who lived 1182to 1226.

“St. Francis seems to sum up the fullest meaning of what we do today as we ordain four men to the Order of Deacon, the same order of St. Francis himself,” said the bishop. “The order centers on preaching the word of God and serving, especially the poor.”

Bishop Nickless reminded the people that St. Francis reminds them that “we must not be wise and prudent according to the flesh.” Rather, they must be simple, humble and pure servants.

After many years of preparation and most likely times of doubt, the bishop told the men that their day of ordination had come.

“You my brothers, like St. Francis, are to be an icon of Christ, reflecting his presence in all you do with your families, at your jobs, in the parishes where you will serve and with every person you meet,” he said.

Welcome, brothers! Congratulations and blessings!

Meantime, you can read more about the ordination at the Globe link.